Wisconsin food prices rose 2 percent last year

Estimated by adding up the cost of 16 common food items

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation says food prices in Wisconsin rose 2 percent last year, showing a degree of stability after a few years of volatility.

The bureau's "marketbasket survey" calculates prices by adding up the cost of 16 common food items. The items include flour, meat, fruit and bread.

Those items cost $49.34 in 2012. That was an increase of 97 cents from the previous year, but it was still $1.20 below last year's national average.

Casey Langan is a spokesman for the Farm Bureau Federation. He says food prices have been volatile in recent years, in part because of fluctuating fuel prices. He says last year's numbers were stable in comparison.

But he warns that meat and dairy could be more expensive this year because of tighter supplies.

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